Class Action Settlement between former federal members and employees and government approved by Federal Court

A class action settlement has recently been approved by the Federal Court. The class action settlement is between the Federal Government of Canada and certain former members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), RCMP, and employees of the Federal Public Service (FPS) who had been directly affects by the LGBT purge within these organizations.

The LGBT Purge refers to the actions taken to identify, investigate, sanction, and sometimes, terminating the employment of LGBTQ2 members in the CAF, RCMP, and FPS.

In agreeing to the settlement, involved parties avoid costs and uncertainty of a trial and delays when obtaining a judgment. Certain individuals who were directly affected by official policies of the CAF, RCMP, and Federal Public Service might receive the benefits listed in the settlement agreement.

By settling the class action, the Representative Plaintiffs and Canada reached an agreement to provide for individual reconciliation and recognition measures. The recognition measures consist of the creation of the Canada Pride Citation and a personal letter of apology.

A press release distributed on June 27, outlined how an individual affected by this, can make their own claim.

The statement read, “Your legal rights and options for this settlement make a claim: You may make a claim for money and/or for individual reconciliation and recognition measures. To do so, you must complete a Claim Form and send it to the Claims Administrator during the Claims Period. The Claims Period will commence on October 25, 2018, and will end on April 25, 2019. A copy of the Claim Form will be available prior to the commencement of the Claims Period at www.lgbtpurgesettlement.com. If there is an appeal of the settlement approval order, the claims period may be extended or postponed.

OPT OUT: If you do not want to be bound by the settlement, you must opt out of the class action by September 20, 2018. If you opt out, you will not be entitled to any benefits or compensation from the settlement, and your claim against Canada in respect of the LGBT Purge will not be released. To opt out of the settlement, you must submit an Opt Out Form to the Claims Administrator. A copy of the Opt Out Form is available at www.lgbtpurgesettlement.com.

These rights and options and the deadlines to exercise them and more information about the settlement are explained in a notice available at www.lgbtpurgesettlement.com. ”

There are more details in the Settlement Agreement. People can get a copy of the Settlement Agreement by visiting www.lgbtpurgesettlement.com.

For those people who have questions, the questions can be sent to lgbtpurge@deloitte.ca. People can also call the toll-free number 1-833-346-6178.

Miranda attended Niagara College in 2014, completing the two-year Journalism program. She currently resides in London, ON with her boyfriend and baby boy.
In her spare time, Miranda enjoys reading, cooking, photography, watercolour painting and spending time with family and friends.

Canadian Military Family Magazine is Canada’s only military lifestyle magazine. We are an independent media source, hence not affiliated with the CAF or DND. Our team is comprised of military community members dedicated to provide relevant information for our community.